Come to Red Pepper for authentic, Sichuan style dishes. The food is great, one of the best places in town for spicy food--I have yet to be disappointed. The dining experience, however, is lacking; it doesn't look appealing from the outside and it doesn't get much better inside. One time, there was a drilling noise from the kitchen, which was strange but when the food came out, I didn't really notice it. This restaurant never seems to be busy, not even during weekend dinner times; take-out seems to be a popular option.
(4)
C K.
Don't order on-line. Food is horrible. Smells bad. The worst Chinese food I ever had. We dined there previously and ordered authentic Chinese dishes. It was very delicious. This time, we ordered 4 dishes at 5pm thru Grubhub website and all dishes seem to be leftover from their lunch buffet. Shrimps in a dish are almost dried, turned dark-yellowish. We throw away most food. Their dine-in menus are authentic Chinese, but online menus are Americanized Chinese food. The cook doesn't know how to cook Americanized Chinese. Worse, they are not fresh at all. The difference in quality between dine-in there and online order is unbelievable. To complain and to ask whether the food was prepared freshly, we called. At the 1st call, the lady hung up when we started to complain. At the 2nd call, she said food might look old because we picked up the food late. We ordered at 4:55 and picked up 5:20.
(1)
Sarah D.
We ordered Fish in Chili Sauce and Bok Choy and Mushrooms, both from the traditional Chinese menu. The food was excellent! We really enjoyed it and we are looking forward to trying some more dishes from their traditional Chinese menu. The restaurant was clean, but a bit noisy once some of the tables filled up. It has kind of an open-concept with an industrial ceiling, and there just isn't really anything to absorb the noise. Overall, we had a great experience! 5/5 for the food.
(4)
Scott T.
Food is subjective. A poorly managed facility with basic maintenance and sanitation issues is not. I arrived at Red Pepper around noon and an empty parking lot with one couple seated in the restaurant. One look around the interior, even exterior, is not conducive to making you think it's going to be a pleasant dining experience. I don't prefer to start evaluating a meal based on the appearance but the dirt and dust here is visible to the eye and can be felt by the feet. After ordering I used the men's restroom. The floors are badly in need of being mopped and five of the six lights over the sink were burnt out, visible dust on the bulbs. Its been this was awhile. The toilet lid is mismatched for the base. There was a foul odor inside. The door handle was sticky. The table I sat at had not been wiped down properly. I ordered spicy cumin pork ribs which I thought were good enough although light on the cumin, heavy on the sodium, not much spice, lots of onions which was fine. Very average. The rice had slight burn marks and was a bit dry. My evaluation of this is it was likely prepared the previous day and left overnight in a warmer but I can't be sure. Not necessarily bad, just a further sign of issues here. $13.03 for a dish without a drink. Things aren't cheap here either. There are many boxes stacked in recessed areas meant for dining. Those areas are not lit so the feeling is the people here don't really care much about atmosphere. Some plates and dining ware is sitting in plain sight and appears to be stored here. The interior in general is not inviting, has huge open spaces that look out of place. From the exterior of the buildings you can visibly see carry-out containers stacked against a window outside of boxes, meaning they're gathering dust as well. Look, I love a good dive, and even sanitation I can look the other way if the food preparation and basic cleanliness is tolerable. It is not here. I don't know what's going on with this place but I can't believe it will be open six months from now. Robert Irvine would have his work cut out for him here.
(1)
Jerem B.
Super awesome great place for legit Chinese food. I lived in zhejiang province for about a year and this place brought back some memories. I could understand some not being impressed just as I would suspect many Kansans to not enjoy being in China but for me it was a pretty good experience. The staff was friendly and very prompt, but the place wasn't too busy. The dishes on the Chinese menu are, as in all restaurants in China, meant to be shared. I'm sure a greedy American belly could take in the whole thing but it will be $10 for one entre'. Take a group and enjoy each other's company at one of the many big round tables and share your food, thoughts and smiles. The combos are a great deal if your alone. Soup appetizer, and entre for about $7 is a great deal even available at dinner time. I think this place will be frequented often by exchange students and foodies into authentic Chinese. If your into spicy sechuan this is a must go and if not you should try the many not that spicy dishes they have. I plan on making this my new go to for anything Asian. Can't wait to get tipsy on some watery Chinese beer next time I go!
(5)
Jessie J.
Authentic Sichuan food in Lawrence. If you like spicy food, then should give this place a try!
(5)
Matt J.
Great staff! And they even have Tsingtao Beer if you want a more authentic Chinese experience.
(5)
Hillary R.
Do not order from here!! I made an order for delivery, after 35 minutes I called to check on the status, as the restaurant is less than a mile away and no mention was made of it being busy. I was told that it was on the way but then the guy said he wasn't sure if it had been cooked and was really on way cause t was so so busy- yet he assured me 15 minutes later max I would get food. Another 35 minutes later I called back and again was told it was on the way. Yet this woman, the woman I had ordered with and who the guy who answered the phone, again, passed me to after informing me that she was owner at this point said that the driver had left. yet she was totally unable to estimate when he would arrive or how many orders he had also left the restaurant with. She then became hysterical and suggested we cancel it - to which I responded that I would wait if the guy really had left. She was totally irate and no discount was offered. When it got here after 70 minutes it was luke warm and not even Panda Express quality
(1)
James E.
Went here for lunch today. Waited fifteen minutes, no service. Two tables in the same recessed area we were relegated to had beverages and orders taken while we were ignored. Walked out after they started taking the second table's orders.
(1)
Sylvie R.
Since we are in the neighborhood, we decided to try out this newer place. What a surprise to find authentic Chinese cuisine. (There is an American-Chinese menu, too - which is the one on the website. I can't speak to that one.) We were warned the portions were big, but ordered three things anyway. The cold rabbit with peanuts 'snack' was wonderful and spicy - we took half of it home. The spicy spare ribs were also terrific, with onion, red and bell peppers in addition to the hot red peppers in a fragrant sauce - one third of that dish is in our fridge for tomorrow. The saute'd lotus root was fresh and generously laced with garlic - sublime. .Only a third of that dish was left. Steamed rice was provided, of course. All in all, we won't have to eat again 'til noon tomorrow, and the memory of our meal will bring good dreams tonight. I can't wait to go back, and want to take more friends so we can try more of the menu. We now know that one dish is good for two people, and with two dishes there will be a take-home container in your future. Not a bad thing. If my next visit is as good as this one, I'll check in and give it another star.
(4)
Yamini M.
I ordered Chong Qing spicy chicken lunch combo from their Chinese menu and it was delicious. It came with spicy sour soup and cold noodles and both the things were amazing. My husband ordered from the American Chinese menu and that food was just fine, like the usual Chinese restaurants but I highly recommend the Chinese menu food. They have huge portions for the price. It's a good place for a quick tasty meal at a reasonable price.
(5)
Daniel C.
The food was awesome, staff was friendly. It's easy to find standard Chinese food, but Red Pepper was something special and unique! Walk in and they give you two menus. An american-style Chinese food and a "traditional" Chinese food menu. I tried the traditional menu, and went with the Fire Pot with Beef. It was nicely hot. The hot pot was a bowl of beef, sliced potatoes, lotus root (whatever that is), and various seasonings in a firey broth. Served over rice (I had to ask how to eat it), it was delicious. They served it with some cold noodles that came with another hot sauce--also delicious. I would go back to try more from their traditional menu.
(5)
L. M.
The food here has been very good to excellent (for Kansas northern Chinese food), but last week they got a new chef and the quality and safety have fallen. The food was too spicy -- the fish with pepper was quite a lot spicier than in the past. So much so that it no longer tasted very good. One of my co-workers became very sick in the stomach several hours after the meal. Neither me nor any of my friends will be returning unless we hear the old chef is brought back.
(1)
George M.
The food is awesome! It tastes authentic and real unlike many Chinese food places in the area.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Outdoor Seating : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes
The popularity of Chinese food in America can be adjudicated by the appearance of China Town in many major cities in the United State of America. The popular trend of ordering or opting for Chinese take away food isn't unknown in America. Chinese take away food comes to rescue when you're too tired from work or too exhausted to cook. No one can resist the temptation of eating spicy noodles, shrimp, chicken, beef or pork cooked in the sweet and spicy sauce. The cooking method of authentic Chinese food is a lot different compared to what is served in America.
Generally, Chinese use dark meat small bones and organs to cook dishes but this changes when you are eating American-Chinese fusion food prepared using white boneless meat cooked with broccoli, carrots and onions. Back in China, the food is less spicy and oily as they favor steaming and braising method for cooking the most popular dishes. So, if you have a taste for authentic Chinese food, then try finding a real Chinese restaurant in the city. You can also try the most popular fusion Chinese food like Pecking Duck, Chicken Feet, Hot Pot, Shrimp Dumpling Soup, Mapo Tofu, Wontons, Chop Suey, Egg Rolls and not to forget Fortune Cookies.
There are not many restaurants in America serving authentic Chinese food. A little research on Restaurant Listings directory can help you locate the best Chinese restaurants in the city. Chinese cuisine is continuously evolving, and you can find a variety of dishes categorized as the food for lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant, vegan, vegetarian, and diabetic friendly. So, if you have a group of friends with different taste patterns, save the hassle and visit the nearest Chinese restaurant in your city.
Kim T.
Come to Red Pepper for authentic, Sichuan style dishes. The food is great, one of the best places in town for spicy food--I have yet to be disappointed. The dining experience, however, is lacking; it doesn't look appealing from the outside and it doesn't get much better inside. One time, there was a drilling noise from the kitchen, which was strange but when the food came out, I didn't really notice it. This restaurant never seems to be busy, not even during weekend dinner times; take-out seems to be a popular option.
(4)C K.
Don't order on-line. Food is horrible. Smells bad. The worst Chinese food I ever had. We dined there previously and ordered authentic Chinese dishes. It was very delicious. This time, we ordered 4 dishes at 5pm thru Grubhub website and all dishes seem to be leftover from their lunch buffet. Shrimps in a dish are almost dried, turned dark-yellowish. We throw away most food. Their dine-in menus are authentic Chinese, but online menus are Americanized Chinese food. The cook doesn't know how to cook Americanized Chinese. Worse, they are not fresh at all. The difference in quality between dine-in there and online order is unbelievable. To complain and to ask whether the food was prepared freshly, we called. At the 1st call, the lady hung up when we started to complain. At the 2nd call, she said food might look old because we picked up the food late. We ordered at 4:55 and picked up 5:20.
(1)Sarah D.
We ordered Fish in Chili Sauce and Bok Choy and Mushrooms, both from the traditional Chinese menu. The food was excellent! We really enjoyed it and we are looking forward to trying some more dishes from their traditional Chinese menu. The restaurant was clean, but a bit noisy once some of the tables filled up. It has kind of an open-concept with an industrial ceiling, and there just isn't really anything to absorb the noise. Overall, we had a great experience! 5/5 for the food.
(4)Scott T.
Food is subjective. A poorly managed facility with basic maintenance and sanitation issues is not. I arrived at Red Pepper around noon and an empty parking lot with one couple seated in the restaurant. One look around the interior, even exterior, is not conducive to making you think it's going to be a pleasant dining experience. I don't prefer to start evaluating a meal based on the appearance but the dirt and dust here is visible to the eye and can be felt by the feet. After ordering I used the men's restroom. The floors are badly in need of being mopped and five of the six lights over the sink were burnt out, visible dust on the bulbs. Its been this was awhile. The toilet lid is mismatched for the base. There was a foul odor inside. The door handle was sticky. The table I sat at had not been wiped down properly. I ordered spicy cumin pork ribs which I thought were good enough although light on the cumin, heavy on the sodium, not much spice, lots of onions which was fine. Very average. The rice had slight burn marks and was a bit dry. My evaluation of this is it was likely prepared the previous day and left overnight in a warmer but I can't be sure. Not necessarily bad, just a further sign of issues here. $13.03 for a dish without a drink. Things aren't cheap here either. There are many boxes stacked in recessed areas meant for dining. Those areas are not lit so the feeling is the people here don't really care much about atmosphere. Some plates and dining ware is sitting in plain sight and appears to be stored here. The interior in general is not inviting, has huge open spaces that look out of place. From the exterior of the buildings you can visibly see carry-out containers stacked against a window outside of boxes, meaning they're gathering dust as well. Look, I love a good dive, and even sanitation I can look the other way if the food preparation and basic cleanliness is tolerable. It is not here. I don't know what's going on with this place but I can't believe it will be open six months from now. Robert Irvine would have his work cut out for him here.
(1)Jerem B.
Super awesome great place for legit Chinese food. I lived in zhejiang province for about a year and this place brought back some memories. I could understand some not being impressed just as I would suspect many Kansans to not enjoy being in China but for me it was a pretty good experience. The staff was friendly and very prompt, but the place wasn't too busy. The dishes on the Chinese menu are, as in all restaurants in China, meant to be shared. I'm sure a greedy American belly could take in the whole thing but it will be $10 for one entre'. Take a group and enjoy each other's company at one of the many big round tables and share your food, thoughts and smiles. The combos are a great deal if your alone. Soup appetizer, and entre for about $7 is a great deal even available at dinner time. I think this place will be frequented often by exchange students and foodies into authentic Chinese. If your into spicy sechuan this is a must go and if not you should try the many not that spicy dishes they have. I plan on making this my new go to for anything Asian. Can't wait to get tipsy on some watery Chinese beer next time I go!
(5)Jessie J.
Authentic Sichuan food in Lawrence. If you like spicy food, then should give this place a try!
(5)Matt J.
Great staff! And they even have Tsingtao Beer if you want a more authentic Chinese experience.
(5)Hillary R.
Do not order from here!! I made an order for delivery, after 35 minutes I called to check on the status, as the restaurant is less than a mile away and no mention was made of it being busy. I was told that it was on the way but then the guy said he wasn't sure if it had been cooked and was really on way cause t was so so busy- yet he assured me 15 minutes later max I would get food. Another 35 minutes later I called back and again was told it was on the way. Yet this woman, the woman I had ordered with and who the guy who answered the phone, again, passed me to after informing me that she was owner at this point said that the driver had left. yet she was totally unable to estimate when he would arrive or how many orders he had also left the restaurant with. She then became hysterical and suggested we cancel it - to which I responded that I would wait if the guy really had left. She was totally irate and no discount was offered. When it got here after 70 minutes it was luke warm and not even Panda Express quality
(1)James E.
Went here for lunch today. Waited fifteen minutes, no service. Two tables in the same recessed area we were relegated to had beverages and orders taken while we were ignored. Walked out after they started taking the second table's orders.
(1)Sylvie R.
Since we are in the neighborhood, we decided to try out this newer place. What a surprise to find authentic Chinese cuisine. (There is an American-Chinese menu, too - which is the one on the website. I can't speak to that one.) We were warned the portions were big, but ordered three things anyway. The cold rabbit with peanuts 'snack' was wonderful and spicy - we took half of it home. The spicy spare ribs were also terrific, with onion, red and bell peppers in addition to the hot red peppers in a fragrant sauce - one third of that dish is in our fridge for tomorrow. The saute'd lotus root was fresh and generously laced with garlic - sublime. .Only a third of that dish was left. Steamed rice was provided, of course. All in all, we won't have to eat again 'til noon tomorrow, and the memory of our meal will bring good dreams tonight. I can't wait to go back, and want to take more friends so we can try more of the menu. We now know that one dish is good for two people, and with two dishes there will be a take-home container in your future. Not a bad thing. If my next visit is as good as this one, I'll check in and give it another star.
(4)Yamini M.
I ordered Chong Qing spicy chicken lunch combo from their Chinese menu and it was delicious. It came with spicy sour soup and cold noodles and both the things were amazing. My husband ordered from the American Chinese menu and that food was just fine, like the usual Chinese restaurants but I highly recommend the Chinese menu food. They have huge portions for the price. It's a good place for a quick tasty meal at a reasonable price.
(5)Daniel C.
The food was awesome, staff was friendly. It's easy to find standard Chinese food, but Red Pepper was something special and unique! Walk in and they give you two menus. An american-style Chinese food and a "traditional" Chinese food menu. I tried the traditional menu, and went with the Fire Pot with Beef. It was nicely hot. The hot pot was a bowl of beef, sliced potatoes, lotus root (whatever that is), and various seasonings in a firey broth. Served over rice (I had to ask how to eat it), it was delicious. They served it with some cold noodles that came with another hot sauce--also delicious. I would go back to try more from their traditional menu.
(5)L. M.
The food here has been very good to excellent (for Kansas northern Chinese food), but last week they got a new chef and the quality and safety have fallen. The food was too spicy -- the fish with pepper was quite a lot spicier than in the past. So much so that it no longer tasted very good. One of my co-workers became very sick in the stomach several hours after the meal. Neither me nor any of my friends will be returning unless we hear the old chef is brought back.
(1)George M.
The food is awesome! It tastes authentic and real unlike many Chinese food places in the area.
(5)